"If you haven't tapped on to Opal, now is the time," Mr Constance said. "This is a difficult change for commuters, I acknowledge that. But everyone has responded incredibly strongly to the change in the last six months."

Gold Opal promoter Ita Buttrose joined the minister, urging seniors not to "delay any longer" in getting their card if they want to continue travelling on $2.50 a day.

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Mr Constance said more than 1.6 million cards have been issued since it was announced in August that paper tickets would be phased out.